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Hello Traverse City! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Gold and silver are hot, a winter warm up, and a star party + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Expanded access to hands-on learning: The Great Lakes Children’s Museum’s PLUS memberships jumped 111% in 2025, reflecting rising demand for affordable family visits. A yearlong partnership is sponsoring exhibits and special events throughout 2026 — learn how sponsorship expands access.

Playful bites hit the taproom: Traverse City’s Silver Spruce Brewing now hosts Toby’s Dog House, recently opened with Michigan-made hot dogs and street-style sandwiches, growing from a Manistee food truck and a Munising restaurant — see what’s on the menu.

Grants support college readiness: Local districts north of Cadillac were awarded part of a $10 million state fund to boost FAFSA completion, with Benzie County Central and Leland among recipients to expand access — see local recipients and amounts.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Warm up at family-friendly winter fest
• Groove to Jesse Jefferson live blues-rock
• Craft three classic cocktails with experts
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Let the dogs play: This week, drop by K&A Hop Dogs, a dog-friendly social pub where pups roam off-leash while humans unwind with local craft beer, wine, cider, specialty spirits, and non-alcoholic options. No pup? The easy vibes and canine cameos still make for low-stress hangs.

Knead a winter project? Between snow squalls and cabin fever, Hallstedt Homestead keeps things cozy with small-group Sourdough Workshops, plus the promise of summer u-pick cherries and flower fields on the Leelanau. It’s starters now… cherries later.

Small-town screen magic: The Bay Community Theatre nails that cozy, community-night vibe with handpicked films, occasional live events, and popcorn that tastes like you left the house on purpose. When the week needs an easy win, a seat in the dark, a laugh, and the credits do wonders.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

⛵ Women at the Helm: Sailing with a Spouse and Family @ Grand Traverse Yacht Club | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – This Women at the Helm chat at Grand Traverse Yacht Club tackles the trickiest tack, sailing with spouse and kids without staging a mutiny. Irish Boat Shop board member Katie McGauley shares simple tactics to lead with confidence, keep smiles afloat, and avoid marital reefing.

🧚 A Midsummer Night’s Faery Tale @ Milliken Auditorium | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Skip the couch and wander into a faery garden where Sneezlewort and Twig outwit a crown-snatching sorceress in an original youth ballet set to Andreas Vollenweider and Joanie Madden. Midsummer magic, no bug spray needed. Reserved seating, $22 adults, $12 students, via MyNorth Tickets.

🔭 The Barnard Album & Star Party @ Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory | Friday (3/6) at 8:00 PM – Trade the couch for the cosmos at NMC’s Rogers Observatory as GTAS hosts Jerry Dobek unveiling The Barnard Album, a love letter to vintage stargazing. If the clouds behave, stick around for telescope time and March sky highlights. Free, open to all, and gloriously nerdy.

🤖 The Iron Giant @ State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to parent like a pro, here it is: The Iron Giant on the State’s big screen, a $1 kids’ matinee. Early birds snag the poster raffle, you snag a quiet hour, popcorn, and nostalgia that actually holds up.

☕ Winter Warm Up @ Traverse City Whiskey Co. Stillhouse | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Grab your mittens and hit the patio for the 3rd Annual Winter Warm-Up, with Broom Closet Boys, Hot Flat Pop, hot cocktails, and a food truck. Free, family-friendly, low-fuss, with yard games, a kid-approved cocoa bar, and zero pressure to pretend you ski.

☕ Coffee & Sugar Scrub Make and Take Station @ The Workshop Brewing Company | Sunday (3/8) at 12:30 PM – Nothing beats soft hands in winter, a pint, and fresh coffee grounds. Swing by Workshop Brewing for a quick make and take with Wild Daisy Creatives, blend your sugar and coffee scrub, keep winter skin happy, then toast your handiwork. All ages welcome.

🐚 Pearl Jewelry Workshop @ The Workshop Brewing Company | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – This hands-on Traverse City workshop lets you pick an oyster, shuck it, then drill and set the pearl into .925 sterling silver. Your ticket covers class, a pearl, and a drop pendant, with upgrade settings aplenty; chains start at $20, and yes, buy ahead.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Traverse City report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 49°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 49, with temperatures falling to around 47 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 0 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Southeast wind around 0 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 35%

A chance of rain showers and a slight chance of freezing rain after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

Overlooking West Bay in Leelanau County, this light-filled home pairs hardwood floors and granite countertops with water views. An airy cupola crowns the main level, while the finished lower level adds a full kitchen and second living area for multigenerational living. Extras include beach access across M22, two laundry rooms, a dog wash, an art room, and a bonus space.

Take a peek inside →